Andrew D. Vogel, D.O., M.S.: No relevant financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Learning Objectives:
Describe disparities in access to cardiothoracic and vascular surgical care in rural and underserved populations.
Compare the training distribution of osteopathic (DO) and allopathic (MD) residents in integrated cardiothoracic and vascular surgery programs between rural and urban areas.
Analyze differences in practice locations of DO and MD attending surgeons using population density (APD), area deprivation index (ADI), and rural-urban commuting area (RUCA) scores.
Evaluate how osteopathic and allopathic training pathways may influence long-term practice patterns in underserved communities.
Discuss implications for workforce planning and future research to address surgical care shortages in rural and socioeconomically disadvantaged areas.
